Cousins gets four games

While he didn't have much to say Wednesday afternoon, his demeanour and tone of voice said it all.
Nick Cousins isn't exactly thrilled by the Ontario Hockey League's decision to hand him a four-game suspension.
Asked if he felt the length of penalty was fair, Cousins said he didn't wish to comment.
What the star centre did say was this: “I respect the league's decision. It is what it is.”
The Soo Greyhounds four-year veteran also refused comment when asked about his intentions when he made contact with London Knights defenceman Tommy Hughes during last Friday's 4-3 overtime loss in London.
“I'm not going to comment on the hit,” said Cousins, the OHL's scoring leader with 26 goals and 72 assists in 58 games.
Skating behind his own net midway through the second period, Hughes was hit by a forechecking Cousins. The 19-year-old Belleville, Ont., native was handed a five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct.
He was suspended indefinitely on Sunday morning and missed the Soo's 4-3 win in Mississauga later that day.
Cousins sat out Wednesday's home game against Sudbury and is eligible to return on March 7, when the Hounds visit Windsor.
“It'll be tough watching,” Cousins admitted. “But I'll support my teammates and I look forward to getting back into the lineup.”
Greyhounds head coach Sheldon Keefe said he hopes to extract the positives out of the penalty.
Asked if he felt the suspension was excessive, Keefe refused comment.
“The league has taken steps to cut down on what it considers to be dangerous hits and this is another example of that,” Keefe said. “But I don't feel it was a malicious hit. I'm looking at this as a positive in that Nick will get a chance to rest and rejuvenate heading into the playoffs.”
Cousins agreed.
“Letting my body heal will be good,” he said. “I'll be ready to go for the last six games.”
Keefe said Cousins absence will provide him with a number of options at centre. It'll also provide other players with a chance to shine.
“It's a good opportunity for us to try some different things,” Keefe continued. “We hope to replace him with a by-committee approach, try some different people at centre and see what they can do.”
Having undergone oral surgery Wednesday, Hounds general manager Kyle Dubas was limited to commenting via e-mail.
While saying he “didn't necessarily agree with the length of the suspension,” Dubas went on to explain how it does fall in line with discipline handed down by the OHL “for similar- looking plays. The logic and reasoning, as well as the precedents used to determine the length, were sound.”
Cousins holds a one-point lead over Sarnia's Charles Sarault in the OHL's scoring race.
The Sting has seven games remaining.
“Right now, that's the last thing on my mind,” Cousins said when asked about his battle with Sarault. “I'm more worried about how the team will do over the next three games.”
In his e-mail, Dubas said he remains confident the Greyhounds will play over the absence of their top scorer.
“They are fully capable of winning with Nick out of the lineup,” he said.
On a busy Wednesday, Cousins's suspension was one of five handed down by the OHL. Of note, London Knights forward Matt Rupert received 10 games for a charging major he was hit with in Sunday's 3-2 victory over Saginaw.